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Research & Development
To improve and maintain the company’s market leading position, Axis offers cutting edge products using the latest technology within the network video area. The basis for this is the long-term work with Axis’ technology development platform, which means that the solutions for the future are
analyzed, assessed and developed today. Axis has more than 20 years’ experience of research and development in network video products. Development is
characterized by a high rate of innovation and a high level of quality.
Since the company was founded, development has focused on hardware and software for network video products. Axis works with open systems, which means that Axis’ products can easily be integrated with other security solutions. The focus is currently on solutions for product area Video, which includes cameras, video servers, accessories and application software. In recent years, software has become an increasingly important component. The work is aimed at four areas:
- Image quality
- Image analysis
- Coding
- Network
Chips developed in-house with a high level of security and performance
Networks form the basis for Axis’ products, and the company has a great deal of experience and expertise in this area. Network security is of utmost importance, and Axis is continuously developing secure network solutions. This involves focusing efforts on retaining a cutting-edge position and ensuring a high level of performance in the chips used in the company’s products. The ETRAX chip has been developed in-house by Axis for use in network connections. It forms the basis of virtually all Axis products. The chip handles calculations, memory storage and communication with the network. The small size of this energy-efficient chip means that it can be used in compact products.
Image quality a central issue
Ten years’ experience in the area has indicated a clear trend – the demands on light-sensitivity and dynamics in network cameras are becoming increasingly stringent. During the year, Axis has been involved in long-term work to develop a high image quality which meets future requirements for network video products. ARTPEC is an image processing and image compression chip which has made a significant contribution to Axis’ dominant position as the market leader in network video. The chip is built into the company’s cameras and video servers. ARTPEC is an innovation which has further strengthened Axis’ leading position in the network video market, since the chip is not only cost-effective but also offers great performance, good bandwidth efficiency and excellent image quality.
Image analysis
The market is facing a paradigm shift which means that active surveillance will replace passive, with intelligent video as a central feature. Intelligent video means that a network video product can, for example, identify registration plates and count the number of people. Intelligence in cameras is central to the network cameras of the future, and this places demands on the components used in the equipment. Intelligent video means that the chips must be able to process more information and handle images with higher resolution. Axis’ work on image analysis development has resulted in the company obtaining valuable experience and a high level of expertise in the area.
Optimized internal flows
Continuous improvement is important if Axis is to maintain its leading position in the network video market. During the year, product specification and the product development process have been optimized further, which has streamlined the market launches of high quality, innovative network video products.
Patents safeguard innovations
Axis pursues an active patent strategy to protect its core technology investment and intellectual capital. During 2006, applications for eight new patent families, primarily involving image processing and network technology, were submitted. Ten individual patents have been awarded. The Axis patent portfolio now contains a total of 44 active patent families.
Collaboration with colleges and universities
Since the start, Axis has collaborated actively with universities and colleges. The company continuously offers students the opportunity to carry out degree projects. Every year, the Axis Award is presented for the best degree project in the network video area. Axis has excellent long-term relationships with research groups at the Institute of Technology at Lund University, the Royal Institute of Technology, Chalmers and Linköping Tekniska Högskola. Axis is also an active partner in CCCD (Competence Center for Circuit Design), an association made up of a number of prominent companies with a joint interest in circuit design, and the government organization Vinnova.
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